The One Little Nudge, A Tiny Side-shuffle, and The Courage To Believe
by: Bianca Schaefer, Gather Intern
Some things change your life forever. It was 2019, and I finally attended my first Gather Rise event.
I’ll never forget that weekend.
I walked into the auditorium and sat down alone near the front. I watched other women settle into their seats with giddy anticipation and felt a sense of excitement in the air. Seeing all the seats fill up around me warmed my heart. Lord, these women are here for you, I thought to myself.
I scanned the room a few more times and quietly felt the Holy Spirit’s nudge to get up and walk towards the back. Not knowing what to do, I walked slowly, pondering my next move. As my eyes scanned the rows, I wondered what was I looking for? That’s when I saw a woman with red hair in a green top sitting by all by herself. “Go ask her to sit with you,” I heard a voice say inside me.
I hesitated for a moment before side-shuffling my way along the row towards her.
“Excuse me,” I said. “Are you here with anyone?” “No.” she replied. Worried that she might feel awkward about my question, I quickly said, “Hey, me neither! Want to come sit with me? I need to sit near the front because I forgot my glasses.” I said, smiling. And that was how I met one of my closest friends, Janet.
But let me back up a bit.
Year after year, the invitation popped up in my Inbox. Join us at Gather Rise I’d read, and I’d think to myself, “This sounds interesting. Maybe I should sign up.”
Only if you’re anything like me, it’s easy to put off registration. You might wonder, “What’s this event all about? Who will be there? Can I even go all by myself?”
If I hadn’t attended the Gather Rise event, I wouldn’t have met someone I desperately needed to meet. It turns out she desperately needed to meet me too! I wouldn’t have believed I could meet a sisterhood of women who would support me in my walk with Christ. And I never would have had the courage to invite some new, beautiful souls into my home to share my hopes, dreams, and burdens with them.
Together at Gather Rise, we felt community, belonging, and acceptance. We were encouraged and equipped with the Word and words from women speakers all across Canada. We worshipped in song and spirit as we lay our hopes and hurts at Jesus’s feet and felt his love and warm embrace.
Gather Rise brought the courage to believe in my call back into my heart.
What makes this event so special? It’s lasting impact on my life even two years later. I mean seriously, how often do you remember what you did even a month ago?
Fast forward to today. I am blessed to be serving as an Intern for Gather Women since January of this year. Words cannot describe the growth I have experienced, the grace that has been extended, and the diversity of women I’ve met and learned from through this internship. But guess what? I never would have been bold enough to apply as an intern had I not attended a Gather Rise event. It just goes to show, God had plans for me, long before I had them.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Friends, don’t hesitate another minute. Don’t wait until the moment has passed. Register today for Gather Rise on November 20th, 2021 at the City Church in Mississauga. The Lord is waiting.
Let’s Believe Together!
Bianca Schaefer is a Writer, Certified Life, and Business Coach, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, and Personal Trainer who inspires a global community through nourishing their body, mind, and spirit with delicious foods, an active lifestyle, and a mindset that believes anything is possible. Her mission is to help others realize their greatest potential and discover God’s love. Bianca serves at Gather Women, a ministry that supports and champions the voices of women across Canada. Her articles and blogs have been featured in The Local Biz Magazine in the Greater Toronto Area and she is putting the finishing touches on her first book, which intersects physical and spiritual health. She lives with her husband, Phil in Toronto and enjoys being a step-mom to her two adult daughters, Andrea and Nicole.
Find out more about Bianca at: http://biancaschaefer.com/